The manufactures publish their best estimate of the scooter's capabilities. Note that there are factors that will affect the real distances you achieve.

• Weight of the rider which makes the motor work harder. • The type of terrain that inﬂuences rolling resistance. • Weather conditions such as rain, snow, and wind. • Grade of any hill encountered • Age of battery and how battery has been conditioned • Headlamps may add to drain on battery. • Inﬂation of tires.

These factors could reduce the published distance significantly.

How fast do you need to go?

While driving indoors or on busy sidewalks your speed should be limited to the same pace of the other pedestrians.

Regardless of your choice of dealer, please purchase from a **local Home Care Mobility Company.** These dealers want to maintain good relations with you, the community, and the medical professionals who may refer you to them.

Purchasing your scooter over the internet or from a big box retailer could make the after sales service more difﬁcult and expensive.

Choose a common brand from a dealer who has been in business over 5 years. If the company or manufacturer go out of business you may have no options for repair or service.

Ask the dealer where the servicing is done and if they are able to pick up the scooter when it needs repairs. You would want them to stock basic items like batteries, tires, and accessories.

Will the dealer modify the scooter or controls if you have special needs? Often the controls may need to be reversed if one hand is more dominant than the other.

Is the scooter uncomfortable when you sit on it? Do your legs feel cramped? If they do, then do not choose it. You would regret riding it every day. Take your time making a decision. If you are not certain, ask the dealer to bring the scooter to your home so you can trial it there.

When you need to transport your scooter a longer distance, you will have the following options.

If your scooter is portable, you can disassemble and place the scooter in the trunk of a vehicle. However, if you have a medium or larger sized scooter, transport is a bit more challenging.

If you have a van or pick up truck you could use aluminum ramps to put your scooter in the vehicle. The downside is that handling the ramp, and driving the scooter up the ramp can be difficult. You should **never sit on the scooter while it is being driven up the ramp.**

You could install a scooter lift. A scooter lift makes loading simple and easy to perform, even if you have physical limitations. The scooter is either driven on to a lifting platform, or used with a docking collar and lifted with an electrical motor and placed in the vehicle. The is the safest, fastest, and most convenient method to load any scooter.

Do you have a reflective flag? Your scooter store should have these. They are great as a visibility item. Ask the dealer to include it in the price at the time of purchase.

Do not overload your scooter with bags or parcels. If you require additional room, consider a rear basket to carry more items (Available at the scooter dealer). An overloaded front scooter basket may be a problem as the excess weight will cause the steering column to shake at higher speeds.

If you use oxygen, consider oxygen bottle holders mounted on the scooter. This will provide you with a safer more comfortable ride.

Having a cell phone can help get you out of a jam. Is your cell phone charged and turned on?